### 259

The ravens fly away towards the north-east and are soon lost from sight amidst the heavy cloud cover. The four sturdy draft horses that are hitched to the wagon make steady progress along the treacherously muddy highway. The sheeting rain makes it difficult to see further than the middle distance, but you are able to appreciate the beauty of the richly verdurous countryside of this fertile region of Chai. At length you come to a part of the highway that wends its way through a cluster of low hills bordered on either side by tall Toa trees. As the wagon rounds a bend in the road, the draft horses suddenly take fright and come to an abrupt halt. Something on the highway ahead is filling them with fear.

Turn to 318.